SACOG set to give $12M to traffic-fighting developers

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments is about to put $12 million up for grabs to encourage developers to build projects that result in less-congested roadways, the first taste of $500 million it has set aside for congestion-relief incentives.

The first batch of money may not be huge but the investment over the program's scheduled 23 years is substantial. It's well worth it to SACOG, the regional transportation planner, which sees no way that governments can build enough roads to cope with traffic congestion. SACOG estimates congestion will rise 50 percent by 2025 as regional population increases. The agency wants to make life sweeter for developers who make it easier for people to hop a bus, ride a bike or don walking shoes instead of turning an ignition key.

"The goal is to reduce driving and increase walking, bike and transit use," said Nancy Kays, a SACOG senior planner. "We think it's important to incentivize development that will encourage not driving."

Developers are interested. "Based on what I know, the program is a tool to do the right thing," said Sotiris Kolokotronis, one of Sacramento's most active infill developers. "I expect it will appeal to developers. But let's wait and see how they put it together."

"It's commendable," said Dain Domich, a prominent builder of transit-oriented developments. "I think it will be successful and developers will adopt more and more of the strategies. I look forward to it."

Domich is part of a partnership developing Granite Park, a transit-oriented project at Power Inn Road and Folsom Boulevard that also is helping fund an adjacent park.

Carrots, but a small bunch: Infill developer Lux Taylor said the program could provide the financial edge needed for developers to take on riskier, less-conventional projects. But, he added, $500 million over 23 years can pack less punch than one might think.

The SACOG cash would be awarded to builders this year but not released unless Congress authorizes the allocation, expected to happen this fall, Kays said.

SACOG, fully expecting the allocation, aims to grant the money to projects that:

? Provide transportation alternatives — for instance, features that allow a resident or employee in the project to easily use light rail, bus or bicycle.

? Have a mix of uses, because housing, retail and offices combined in one project can reduce commuting.

? Have a diverse mix of housing types, a policy that would encourage more high-density development because higher density better supports transit use.

?Conserve the environment and energy.

Other criteria all encourage projects often dubbed "smart growth."

The money, to be routed through municipalities in SACOG's six-county region, would be used to fund the portions of projects related to transportation, including streets, street lighting, bike lanes and lockers, walking paths, traffic-calming measures and so on.

Developers would apply to the local governments for the money, and the first $12 million should be available by June, said Mike McKeever, project manager for the Sacramento Region Blueprint Transportation-Land Use Study. SACOG is conducting the study in collaboration with other groups, including Valley Vision.

"The money would provide the development community with some carrots to build the kinds of projects not being built," McKeever said.

Taking the story public: At the same time, SACOG aims to explain smart-growth concepts to the public in a series of 50 workshops this year.

McKeever believes that congestion could become horrendous unless land-use planning reduces auto use. "Our data says that, despite our best efforts, traffic will get worse," he said. "But we're not willing to accept that as a fait accompli. So we'll study things about land uses that could benefit the transportation system."

McKeever is using a $300,000 grant from the state treasurer's office to develop a computerized modeling system that projects how different development designs affect traffic congestion, as well as transit use, auto exhaust emissions and development cost.

"Smart growth" mixes homes, offices and retail together — or within access by walking, biking or transit — to reduce automobile use. Motor vehicles are the biggest cause of air pollution, and spawn traffic congestion and enormous outlays of money for new roads to reduce it.

To talk about optimal growth patterns with the public, McKeever and SACOG staff will meet with various communities in the agency's six-county area of Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Sutter, Yuba and Yolo. The agency will supply a computer for each table at the meetings so that attendees can take part in land-use planning.

It is likely that the subject of higher-density, residential development — such as small-lot homes, condos and apartments — will be part of SACOG's discussion of smart growth to the public. Apartments are regarded as especially suited to mass transit because they concentrate many potential riders in one place.

Neighborhood groups that oppose such developments are the biggest obstacles to higher-density housing.

The first community outreach session is at Citrus Heights' City Hall March 18.